Dealers offer better service
Page 8
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Truck dealers say the standard of vehicle maintenance they offer is far higher than in garages servicing cars.
The claim by the Retail Motor Industry Federation leaders follows a damning report by the Office of Fair Trading about the standard of work done by garages on cars.
Keith Sayfritz, chairman of the HMI's national truck dealer council, says high standards are vital because of the potential consequences of allowing poorly maintained trucks on to the roads.
Alistair Manson, an RM1 director, says a conciliation and arbitration service is provided for customers who are dissatisfied with the quality of servicing. "We receive relatively few complaints involving commercial vehicles compared with cars, bearing in mind the far greater number of cars that are being dealt with."
But Cornwall-based owner driver Mike Bone believes standards in the UK compare badly with those of Germany. "I worked there for nearly five years and they go out of their way to ensure you got the best servicing. Their apprenticeships are a lot longer and they take a hell of a lot more pride in their work than in this country."
(See also Fleet Focus, page 34.)